Customer Reviews:
 Admittedly, Not for Everyone.... September 1, 2008
The best way to describe this game is to call it an Interactive Movie. You, as a single player are put in the lead roll but this is where it differs from all other games out there. As the movie unfolds (the lead character is played by Mark Hamill aka Luke Skywalker) Co. Blair (Hamill) is put to the test and must fly space missions against the enemy (Kilrathi - a cross between a lion and a Wookie).
Although this game is obviously dated, it is still a rare treat because games like this are not made anymore. To explain why that is, just check out what it cost to make Wing Commander IV and you'll quickly understand. (W.C.IV was the most expensive game ever created for a gaming system) and the reason for that is because they used live actors to play the rolls. That's what makes it an interactive movie. Cool huh.
Once you learn the controls and get used to them for the space missions, the game becomes quite enjoyable and is even played over again numerous times because based on which paths you take, the game unfolds differently each time. In other words, the actors filmed different scenes based on decisions that you the player take. So if you go left, you'll see the movie unfold one way, or if you turn right, you'll see the movie unfold in another way. And so on and so forth.
Plus once you discover where the invincible button is, the game becomes a real hoot because you can go through it without having your character die off. Cheating? Who said cheating? It's improvising, adapting....
The only draw back to this game is it probably won't appeal to children. It moves too slow for them because don't forget as you play, the movie unfolds, you fly a mission and the movie unfolds more. It's still worth it just for the uniqueness of the game.
I'm not going to write a review for Wing Commander IV because essentially this review applies to both WC III and IV. The games unfold in the same manner with of course WC IV being a completely different movie to watch and interact with.
Like I said, it's unique and certainly not for everyone, especially children. I guess it sort of has a cult following in that the movie that came out in '99 with Freddie Prinze Gellar Jr. (a small joke for you Buffy fans out there) was a hit but only with a small group of devoted fans. But if you liked the movie, you will certainly like the game, maybe even like the game more so because like I said, you interact with the game movie making it....unique. Enjoy!!
 No fun without a joystick August 30, 2007
Great game on the PC, but it stinks without joystick compatability. In fact the designers must of known how difficult it would be to navigate the game with a D pad, so they didn't even bother hiding the invincibility option.
You can also download the entire FMV sequence on a fan website, making this game a complete waste.
Killin' Cats cool, but meant for slower machine December 5, 2002
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Wing Commander is probably one of the coolest sci-fi flight sims out there. Episode III is largely an interactive movie, but the flying still rocks. My problem is that I'm running it on a 333MHz machine, which is a little too fast (I have the detail all the way up, and my reflexes STILL can't keep up). So it might be good to try it on something a little slower.
The story line is pretty good so far (I haven't finished the game yet). Having Mark Hamill play the lead role is pretty cool; it's kind of like being Luke Skywalker. And I love how human everything is -- some flight sims, your wingman is some nameless dude that ocassionally says some stock thing. Here, your wingmen have personalities (they each have their own little sayings, i.e. Maniac's "It's party time!"), fighting styles, even differences in how brave/cocky they are. And what's more, wingmen actually matter; I find that even when I'm in a mighty Excalibur, if a bunch of light enemy fighters gang up on me, I'm space dust. The missions also start out simple, and get more and more challenging as you go. Fortunate; I hate it when a game's too easy. But this one passes.
All in all, this is a cool game, albeit a little old. I think it's completely worth the buy. Check it out.
 Pretty good game...even with Mark Hamill in it! February 26, 2002
This game is pretty neat. I haven't gotten very far in the game yet, but what i have played so far i have enjoyed. The dialogue is corny at times but funny also. But with Mark Hamill you have to expect that i guess. Don't get me wrong i love star wars just as much as the next person and i do like Mark Hamill, but he can be pretty cheesy at times. Also starring in this game is Tom Wilson, who played as Biff in Back to the Future. Overall, the graphics are very good for 32 bit and you will have a fun time playing it.
Pretty cool January 21, 2002
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Okay, this was the first "Interactive Movie" on the Playstation and I actually mean MOVIE (In other words it has REAL LIVE ACTORS!)This "movie" stars Mark Hamill as Christopehr Blair, a Pilot involved in the war with the Kilrathi that has lasted for 10 years. But videogames are supposed to be played right? Well, this was a pretty good movie. However, with so many movie scenes, the game is hardly called a "videogame". But since on the package it did warn me that this would be a "Movie" I had my warning. It is a flight simulator game. So there shouldn't be anybody saying stuff like "Oh it was the same thing over and over. Get a briefing, Fly a mission, get a briefing, Fly another mission", no because thats what your SUPPOSED to do in this game. The game/movie has some good special effects. However, being that this was one of the first games on the PSX I can't say much for the graphics. They aren't all that great. In fact they need a bit of work. The game is fun but isn't worth the replay. The movie is good but is just too long. The storyline was okay, but not as good as Wing Commander 4.
|
